The San Francisco 49ers have the distinction of being the first major league professional sports franchise on the West Coast. The 49ers entered professional football in 1946 and matured, nationally and locally, when the club was granted a National League franchise in 1950.

The team earned its name from the surge of goldminers to the San Francisco area during 1849, thus the nickname the San Francisco 49ers. It is the only name the team has been affiliated with and San Francisco is the only city in which it has resided.

The team was led in its turnaround from late 1970s doormat by Bill Walsh. The former coach of Stanford University made excellent draft picks, picked up key free agents or players released by other teams and is known as the creator of the 'West Coast offense[?]'. During their first Super Bowl run the team was known for its short passing game and the play making ability of young quarterback Joe Montana. Later they became dominant in all aspects of the game. Some other famous 49ers include Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Fred Dean, Eric Wright, Dwight Hicks, Deion Sanders, and Ricky Watters. There are many others as the team has had a policy of releasing star players a year too early rather than a year too late. That has led to some of their stars finishing up their careers with other teams.

In 2002 they produced the second greatest comeback in NFL playoff history by coming back from a 24 point deficit (38-14) and winning 39-38 against the New York Giants. They lost their subsequent game to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following the season, Steve Mariucci[?], the coach, was fired.